MANILA, Philippines – Trusted by practically all Filipinos, President

Rodrigo Duterte delivered on Monday, July 25, his first State of the
Nation Address (SONA), making major policy pronouncements on
the peace negotiations, the anti-drug war, income tax reform, and
transportation, among others.

Here is the full text of the 100-minute-long speech, as provided by the

Malacañang. Duterte delivered it in English, punctuated by ad-libs in
Filipino and a bit of Bisaya.

***

Kindly sit down. Thank you.

Allow me a little bit of informality at the outset. You would realize that
the three guys in the elevated portion of Congress are from Mindanao.
So, wala talaga kaming masabi. [applause]

Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III, members of the Senate,

Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and the members of the House of
Representatives, Vice President Maria Leonor Robredo, President
Fidel V. Ramos, President Joseph Estrada, President Arroyo, Chief
Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, and justices of Supreme Court, His
Excellency Papal Nuncio and members of the diplomatic corps.

We cannot... Well, of course, I have also to greet the Executive

Secretary Salvador Medialdea, the members of the Cabinet, fellow
workers in government, my countrymen.
We cannot move forward if we allow the past to pull us back. Finger-
pointing is not the way. That is why I will not waste precious time
dwelling on the sins of the past or blaming those who are perceived to
be responsible for the mess that we are in and suffering from.

Except maybe extract a lesson or two from its errors we will not tarry
because it is the present that we are concerned with and the future
that we should be prepared for.

Lest I be misunderstood, let me say clearly, that those who betrayed

the people’s trust shall not go unpunished and they will have their day
in Court. [applause] And if the evidence warrants, they will have their
day of reckoning too.

When I decided to seek the presidency of this Republic, I knew what

the ills of our country were; I knew their causes; and I was briefed on
those who caused the causes.

I heard the people on the streets complain that justice had become
illusory; that equity and fairness and speedy disposition of cases had
deteriorated into hollow concepts fit only for masteral dissertations. It
was, and still is, very sad indeed.

As a former prosecutor, I know there always --- ways of knowing how

fast or how slow cases go. What I did was to look into the number of
postponements and the time difference between each postponement
and the next setting. It was simple as that. I will appreciate deeply if
we all in government attend to this urgent need.
I was determined then as I am now determined and better positioned,
to wage war against those who make a mockery of our laws including
those who make life for us all miserable.

I wish to assure everyone though that vindictiveness is not in my

system. [applause] Just like you and I, all, equal treatment and equal
protection are what I ask for our people. [applause]

But we must have the courage to fight for what we believe in,
undeterred by the fear of failing or losing. Indeed, courage knows no
limits, cowardice does. [applause]

At this point, there are concerns few I wish to convey to all to the end
that as I perorate on facts, figures, plans, programs, and solutions,
these concerns will not dissipate or get lost along our way.

Thus to our religious bishops, leaders, priests, pastors, preachers,

imams let me assure you that while I am a stickler for the principle of
separation between church and state, I believe quite strongly that
there should never be a separation between God and State.
[applause]

During my inauguration last 30 [June] 2016, I said that the fight

against criminality and illegal drugs and corruption will be relentless
and sustained. I reiterate that commitment today. And that is why I call
on the Philippine National Police, the barangay chairmen, the Mayors,
and Governors and all those occupying seats of power and authority,
not to lower their guard. There will be no let-up in this campaign.
Double your efforts. Triple them, if need be. We will not stop until the
last drug lord, the last financier, and the last pusher have surrendered
or put behind bars [applause] or below the ground, if they so wish.
[applause]

To our police officers and other officials, do your job and you will have
the unwavering support of the Office of the President. [applause] I will
be with you all the way. Abuse your authority, and there will be a hell
to pay, [applause] for you will have become worse than criminality
itself.

I order the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) to hasten the

conduct of investigation and adjudication of administrative cases
against police officers involved in criminal activities and illegal
activities and prescribe policies on lifestyle checks for PNP members.

In this quest, I will put at stake my honor, my life, and the presidency
itself. [applause]

The DILG is also directed to strictly monitor how LGUs perform their
supervision functions of the police and those found not performing will
be sanctioned including the loss of police deputation from the
NAPOLCOM. Let me repeat my warning to all: Do not do drugs
[applause] because you will be the solution to the drug crisis that has
engulfed – malawak – the nation.

We will create an Inter-Agency Committee on Illegal Drugs that will

integrate efforts and strengthen the partnership of all stakeholders.
The reservists will be mobilized for information campaign against drug
use and the dissemination of information regarding drug rehabilitation
programs being offered by the government. Let us also strengthen our
ROTC Program to instill love of country and good citizenship.
[applause]

We will also prioritize the rehabilitation of drug users. We will increase

the number of residential treatment and rehabilitation facilities in all
regions of the country. [applause] The Armed Forces of the
Philippines (AFP) will facilitate the preparation for the use of military
camps and facilities for drug rehabilitation. [applause]

There can never be real, tangible and felt development without

making our people feel secure and it is our duty to uplift the people’s
welfare.

With this, my administration shall be sensitive to the State’s

obligations to promote, and protect, fulfill the human rights of our
citizens, especially the poor, the marginalized and the vulnerable and
social justice will be pursued, even as the rule of law shall at all times
prevail.

My administration shall implement a human approach to development

and governance, as we improve our people’s welfare in the areas of
health, education, adequate food and housing, environmental
preservation, and respect for culture.
Human rights must work to uplift human dignity. [applause] But human
rights cannot be used as a shield or an excuse to destroy the country -
-- your country and my country. [applause]

Meantime, since our country continues to be confronted with internal

security threats aggravated by the existence and activities of the
terrorist group Abu Sayyaf, the full force of the AFP will be applied to
crush these criminals who operate under the guise of religious fervor.
The AFP shall enhance its capability to search and engage these
rogue and lawless elements.

We have to strengthen our coordination with Indonesia and Malaysia

to suppress the kidnappings in the waters of our neighboring
countries. We will strengthen our counter-terrorism programs by
amending various laws on human terrorism, terrorism financing and
cybercrime.

This is our answer to the challenges of the global development’s non-

traditional threats, transnational crimes and fanatical terrorism.
Addressing global warming shall all will be our top priority, but upon a
fair and equitable equation. [applause] It must not stymie our
industrialization.

We also endeavor to develop and corporate partnerships with nations

sharing common interests and concerns with the Philippines; maintain
and sustain bilateral and multilateral consultations and dialogues.
We will continue to expand cooperation on human assistance,
disaster response, maritime security and counter terrorism. We shall
deepen security dialogues with other nations to build greater
understanding and cooperation.

With regard to the West Philippine Sea otherwise known as [South]

China Sea, we strongly affirm and respect the outcome of the case
before the Permanent Court of Arbitration as an important contribution
to the ongoing efforts to pursue the peaceful resolution and
management of our disputes. [applause]

On the aspect of our peace processes relating to our engagement

with the international community, the Philippines shall remain
committed to work under and with international partners achieving
lasting peace and progress in the country.

We will vigorously address the grievances that have been time and
again expressed, not only by the Bangsamoro, indigenous peoples
and other groups for security, development, fair access to decision-
making and acceptance of identities.

Enduring peace can only be attained only if we meet these

fundamental needs of every man, woman and child. [applause]

To our Muslim brothers, the Moro country, and the members of the
CPP/NPA/NDF, let me say this:

All of us want peace, not the peace of the dead, but the peace of the
living. [applause]
We express our willingness and readiness to go to the negotiating
table, and yet we load our guns, fix our sights, pull the trigger. It is
both ironic and tragic – and it is endless. While we extol the bravery
and heroism of our soldiers — kayo the rebels – do the same for the
members and fighters. What I see instead are the widows and the
orphans. And I feel their pain and grief. And no amount of cash
assistance or the number of medals can compensate the loss of a
human life. [applause]

Sorrow cuts across every stratum of society. It cuts deeply and the
pain lasts forever.

That is why, I reach out to you, to all of you today. To our Muslim
brothers, let us end the centuries of mistrust and warfare. To the
CPP/NPA/NDF, let us end these decades of ambuscades and
skirmishes. We are going nowhere. And it is getting bloodier by the
day.

To immediately stop violence on the ground, restore peace in the

communities and provide enabling environment conducive to the
resumption of the peace talks, I am now announcing a unilateral
ceasefire with the CPP/NPA/NDF effective immediately. [applause]
And call on our Filipinos in the National Democratic Front and its
forces to respond accordingly.

Let me make this appeal to you: “If we cannot, as yet, love one
another, then in God’s name, let us not hate each other too much,” so
it was said. [applause] I say the same to you today.
We will strive to have a permanent and lasting peace before my term
ends. That is my goal, that is my dream. [applause]

On the macroeconomic management, my administration will continue

and maintain current macroeconomic policies, and even do better. We
will achieve this through prudent fiscal and monetary policies that can
help translate high growth into more and better job creation and
poverty reduction.

By the end of my term, I hope – I hope and pray – to hand over an

economy that is much stronger, characterized by solid growth, low
and stable inflation, dollar reserves, and robust fiscal position.

On taxation, my administration will pursue tax reforms towards a

simpler, and more equitable, and more efficient tax system that can
foster investment and job creation. We will lower personal and
corporate income tax rates [applause] and relax the bank secrecy
laws. [applause] Eh na-Presidente ako eh. Ayaw ko sana makialam
dito sa mga ‘to. Alam mo na. Well, anyway. May I continue.

At the household level, there must be sufficient income for all Filipinos
to meet the basic food and non-food needs for their families. We shall
continue attract investments that will generate thousands of jobs each
year – jobs that are suitable for the poor and less skilled members of
the workforce.

Reforms to ensure competitiveness and promote ease of doing

business will be mandatory. [applause]
Reacting to these needs, the restrictions on the economy will be
needed to make more investments to come and to develop labor-
intensive industries such as manufacturing, agriculture and tourism
shall be pursued.

We must also invest in human capital and ensure equal access to

economic opportunities.

The implementation of the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive

Health Law must be put into full force and effect [applause] so that
couples, especially the poor, will have freedom of informed choice on
the number and spacing of children they can adequately care and
provide for, [applause] eventually making them more productive
members of the labor force.

When employment is not an option, for instance in extremely rural

neighborhoods, entrepreneurship will be advocated.

We shall also enhance local business environment by addressing

bottlenecks in business registration and processing, streamlining
investment application process and integration the services of various
government offices.

Government Financing Institutions (GFIs) shall come up with out-of-

the box financing packages to capacitate our small and medium
entrepreneurs.

In the field of tourism, we shall construct more access roads and

tourism gateways to service centers and tourist sites.

Road development projects shall complement with our thrust to

Provide modern agriculture, infrastructural by expanding and
improving the construction and rehabilitation of roads and the
irrigation and establishing modern harvest and post-harvest facilities
to minimize losses.

We shall also conduct a nationwide soil analysis to determine areas

most suitable for rice farming to optimize production with the use of
effective soil rehabilitation and fertilization.

We shall strictly enforce fisheries laws, particularly on illegal fishing

and promote aquaculture along river banks and in backyards.

On the other hand, we will accelerate infrastructure spending by

improving national roads and bridges and implementing the Mindanao
Logistics Infrastructure Network [applause] and other road network
master plans. We shall pursue inter-island linkage projects.

We shall be implementing structural mitigation measures to address of

the perennial flooding in Metro Manila and neighboring areas.
[applause] We shall put up new pumping stations in strategic places.

The revival of the operation of the Pasig River Ferry Service System is
a viable option for the severe traffic congestion in Metro Manila.

This serves as an alternative mode of transportation for passengers

particularly those coming from the east side of Metro to reach specific
destinations within the cities of Manila, Mandaluyong, Pasig, Taguig,
Marikina and Quezon City.

Our anti-colorum campaign and out-of-line apprehension including the

removal of terminals will be intensified and, my God, it will be done.
[applause] Immediately, immediately.

To address lack of road infrastructure in Metro Manila, usage of

existing roads will be maximized. Thus, there is a need to cooperate
and coordinate with LGUs to map out secondary routes and to consult
various stakeholders, including the public transport operators.

Many in government opine realistically, and I would have to agree,

that the worsening traffic situation could be logically addressed, if
Congress would also accord emergency powers to the agencies
concerned. [applause]

Ayaw mo? Okay lang rin. Para makita namin kung gusto ninyong
madalian. Alam naman talaga ninyo sagad na lahat, sagad na. Nasa
inyo ‘yan. If you give it, fine. If you don’t, we take the longer route,
slowly. And tanggapin ko ‘yung pag-mumura ninyo. ‘Wag lang sa
malapit. [laughter] Eh ganun talaga eh. You’ve done it. It's an urgent
and immediate situation, solution. Gusto ninyo madali lang, okay.
Kapag ayaw naman ninyo, because baka sabihin niyo graft and
corruption eh ‘di okay. But I assure you — wala ito sa script — I
assure you, this will be a clean government. [applause]

If that is the only worry that you have and I can understand your
misgiving. Wala na ito sa... ang haba. [laughter] Wala na ito sa script.
You know, ako maka-garantiya, 101 percent it will be clean. The
problem is I can only act through agencies and departments. That’s
why I urge you na maski konting mali lang, wala akong ano sa inyo,
wala na akong politika, wala na. I’m through after this. I just pass on to
you the information that, you know…
I act through secretaries and... I cannot guarantee their honesty and
competence at all times. Cabinet members, yes. Pero yung sa baba
— yung procurement, yung magbi-bidding diyan. But as far as I can
really --- malinis talaga ‘to. At napag-usapan namin sa likod about the
federal system.

You know my advice to you is maintain a federal system, a

parliament, but be sure to have a president. Huwag… Hindi na ako
niyan. [applause] I’m disqualified and by that time I would longer be
here. But, I can commit today to the Republic of the Philippines and its
people: If you hurry up the federal system of government and you can
submit it to the Filipino people by the fourth, fifth year, proseso ‘yan e.
You call for a referendum and after that call for a presidential election,
I will go. Sibat na ako.

But you just have a president. You copy the France system. Huwag
mo hayaan yung puro na parliament. Delikado iyon. It takes time even
for the… Iyong kagaya ng England noon. There was this bomb,
double deck. It took them time really. There’s no one apparatus for a
commander-in-chief down. You can have a president you can elect.
Maybe Tito Sotto would be the lucky guy at that time. O, ‘di, limitahan
mo lang. Ceremonial powers. Power to dissolve, power to accept the
resolution or whatever, mandating you this, do that, or ceremonial
powers except yung in times of need, if there’s a demand for action.
You must have a president. Wala na ako niyan. I said if you can give
me that document, I will urge you to conduct a --- to order --- to order,
call for an election the following day, following week. And even if there
is still two years, three years I will go. Okay na ako.
Do not worry about me. I don't aim to that much ambition. Eh nanalo
ka eh. Hindi ko nga alam bakit nandito ako ngayon. Noon nandoon
lang ako o. [applause] Totoo man. Sino man nagsuporta sa inyo sa
akin dito? Wala man? [laughter] Not a single congressman. Except for
two provinces, governor. ‘Yun lang. Wala akong barangay captain.
Wala akong… wala lahat. Pero ngayon. [laughter]

Processing time in issuing permits and licenses shall be reduced to

the barest minimum, in my city, it is always three days for local
governments. That will bind the Office of the President down to the
last barangay elect. Three days. Three days. [applause] Local
government. Business permit, clearances, no follow-ups. Bigyan mo
ng stub. Be back next week, tingnan mo yung work load and I will
require every department, yung dito sa itaas. They must have a log
book. Huwag sa computer. Kasi itong ganito na, nae-erase yan.
Lagyan mo date, time, ‘I accept the documents of Rodrigo Duterte.’
Then you go to your computer.

You must have an actuarial projections there.

Look at the work load. Napaka-bobo mo naman. Tingnan mo, ‘Ilan

ang workload ninyo?’ Pagkatapos, 'O bumalik ka dito, August 3, 3
o'clock.' Iyan 3 o'clock, ibigay mo, ibigay mo. Ngayon, I will be
establishing 8888, only for, dedicated to corruption. [applause] Kapag
may marinig ako sa Executive Department, even a whisper, even a
whisper, hiwalay-hiwalay na tayo. Marami diyan, diyan sa gallery
marami diyan walang trabaho, nag-aaply hanggang ngayon. [laughter]
Hindi naman lahat kasi mayayaman yan eh.
Mga asawa ninyo ata ‘yan. While the issuance and distribution of
motor vehicle plates at point of sale, or through motor vehicle dealers
shall be considered. Huwag na sa LTO kasi hanggang ngayon,
panahon pa ni Hesukristo yung first plate nila, hanggang ngayon wala
pa. [laughter] Bayad na yon. Until now, sa awa ng Diyos.

For the driver’s licenses, its effectiveness will be extended from the
current 3-year period to 5 years. [applause]

To reduce queuing time at ticketing stations, tickets sa mga train will

be made readily available and easily accessible to the riding public
kung bilhin mo ‘yan sa malls, stalls and stores. Eh ipinagbibili mo yung
mga sa --- e 'di diyan mo na ibigay at credited. Huwag doon banda sa
Recto kasi sigurado pekein ‘yan. [laughter]

May I address again to the Filipino: Ako po’y nagdo-doble ang pagod
para sa inyo, para sa kapakanan ng bayan.

Seryoso po ako. Kaya yung mga ganun, ticket-ticket at magkaroon ng

gulo, huwag ho ninyong gawain yan. Ito na yung warning ko, yon na
ang last, wala nang iba, hindi ko na gagawin: Huwag ninyong sirain
yung mga bagay-bagay na ginagawa namin para sa kapakanan ng
tao. Mabuti ang magka-intindihan tayo [applause].

Mamaya yung kayo --- kaibigan ko --- tangad, tangad, tangad

[laughter] Kaya huwag na ninyong gawin. Simple lang ‘yan eh. Para
walang away sa gobyerno, yung mga bagay na illegal at masama at
hindi tama, huwag mong gawin, at hindi kami mag-aaway dito
[applause].
Pati yung pari ha --- pati si Pope tinamaan. Let us be clear with each
other. I am for the comfort and the welfare of the Filipino. Kayo
namang hindi pa bungog diyan, hindi pa pumasok yang mga droga,
eh kung ayaw ninyong mamatay, ayaw ninyong masaktan, huwag
kayong umasa diyan sa mga pari pati Human Rights, hindi nakakapigil
yan ng kamatayan. So huwag ninyong gawin. Eh tapos nandiyan ka
nakabulagta and you are portrayed in a broadsheet na parang Mother
Mary cradling the dead cadaver of Jesus Christ. Eh yan yang mga yan
magda-dramahan tayo dito. [Dito ako nakatingin kasi nandito ang
public eh]. Alam mo, ilang beses ko na sinasabi, sa Davao, ‘Huwag
mong gawin kasi magkaka-problema tayo.' He who is the cause of the
cause is the cause of them all. [applause]. Ikaw yung nag umpisa, you
swallow ---

Ulitin ko ha: He who is the cause of the cause is the cause of them all.
Kami nagta-trabaho lang. We have a mission to God. We have
millions of people to see that they are healthy.

It’s a question of drug, it’s a question of public interest, public order.

Kita mo, lesser crime. Wala na kasing magnanakaw, wala nang
naghoholdap. Kasi para ---Bakit tapos sabi nila eh, 'maliliit lang ‘ yan'.
Gamitin mo utak mo.

If you are able to contaminate, kagaya ng negosyo ng mga Chinese,

wholesale yan sila. Maski konti-konti kung the whole of Tondo
contaminated, pera ‘yan. I am not saying it's the Chinese. Practice of
nitong wholesale, retail. They go for wholesale. Maski na kumita lang
ng isang piso diyan sa isang... Okay na yan. Kasi paramihan eh. Iyan
ang ibig kong sabihin.
Now, let... I hope the military and the police will not react on this. It is
part of the deep intelligence that we have gathered.

I am forced to come in public, kasi pati yung mga pari nag-aano…

Alam mo kayong mga media, naghahanap kayo ng, "Where’s the big
fish?" "Saan yung bilyonaryo na mayaman, yung may kotse, yung
may mga Mercedez na yan?” Ma’am, nandoon yan sila sa labas, wala
dito. Maghanap ka ng isang batalyon na pulis para hulihin natin doon.
Kung kaya natin. They direct the traffic of drugs sa kanila. Meron
silang ganito, malaki. Real time. Nakikinig sila ngayon dito. I am very -
-- 101 percent, nakikinig yan. Nandoon. Doon lang. Izo-zoom in nila
sa Tondo. ‘O, itapon mo diyan. Tapos umalis ka, kunin mo doon sa
tindahan yung bag o package.’

Nasaan yung mga nakikita ng media na... Kayo lang ang naba-brand
niyan na "drug lord" eh. Those are not the drug lords. Mga lieutenant,
delivery boy yan. Kumbaga LBC lang yan pati DHL pwede rin. Pati
yung tawag nilang "basura", yun yung street ano. Huwag kayong
maghahanap. Gusto niyo, sabihin niyo, puntahan natin, I’ll give you
the names.

I’ll show you the intelligence paper pero give me the guarantee na
may magawain ka. Because I’ll give you the name, I’ll give you the
country. Kung wala ka ring magagawa, mag-shut up ka. [laughter].
Kaya hindi lang kami nag... But do not get too personal about our
work here. I am saying that dito... [Balik na tayo kasi yung hindi
nakakaintindi ng Tagalog ano na yung, ang tagal naman nito...]
Passenger capacity congestion shall be addressed by increasing the
number of running trains from the current 16 trains [applause] with a
total of 48 cars per hour, to 20 trains with a total of 60 cars per hour.
You increase the train speed from 40 [kph] to 60 [kph]. Ang problema
nito, yung mga railway na ito [Hindi na ito kasali diyan. Huwag kayong
maniwala dito] Two-thirds of these are mine, the other third is yung ---
correct yung grammar ko, ayaw lang nila. Sixty kilometers per hour.
Problema nito, and you must agree with me, that the rails are quite
aged. Most of the rails maybe, doon pa yan sa panahon ni Marcos,
Imelda. Nandyan pa. Ngayon, sabi ni Tugade, pagbigay sa akin sabi
ko '40 to 60 kilometers per hour.' Sabi ko, ‘Art, sigurado ka maka-hold
ang rail niyan? Baka maputol ‘yan mag diretso ang train sa Cavite.'
[laughter]

Diretso ng Cavite, mulipad doon kay Tolentino. [laughter] 'O bakit may
train dito sa Tagaytay?' It’s quite fast, quite fast. Sixty kilometers per
hour and you are pulling something that’s heavy. When it really moves
--- mawala ng ano--- it moves with a speed at a heavy thing at a great
speed, ang hirap mong... Sumasadsad kasi mabigat eh and reduce
headway time from 5 minutes to 3 minutes. Mahina lang tayo...Ang
plano ni Tugade, mahina lang tayo ng one minute sa Hong Kong. Two
minutes, sa kanila three minutes eh. Art, ambisyoso ka ah. Kaya mo
kaya ito?
Specifically for the LRT, the operating hours shall be extended from
9:30 to 10:30 p.m., so marami pang mga bata ang uuwi niyan.
[applause] And to absorb more passengers, delays in the
procurement of additional trains shall be addressed soonest. Now,
iyan ang sinasabi ko, if you want the long way, fine. Wala akong
problema. Sabihin ninyo na doon ang --- we go the normal way if we
are able to make purchases.

Eh ang maganda nito, I have signed the Executive Order sa aming

FOI. Naunahan ko kayo. Iyong inyo... Nandoon na ang sa akin
[applause]. Oo, tapos na ako. Ilabas ko na --- it will be out today. Alam
mo sabi ko, unahan na natin itong Congress, puro mayayabang ang
mga nandiyan. We grab the --- each other...They say, "stealing one’s
thunder," ika nga. Unahan na natin.

So, we shall also pursue rail projects in Metro Manila and the major
key-points in the country including the Mindanao Rail Project
[applause]. Hindi ako nagyayabang pero totoo talaga ‘to. Well,
depende sa federal. But six years, lalabas talaga ito. I assure you
because it’s going to materialize: Rail projects, the Davao Transit
System, the Cebu Transit System, the North and South Luzon
Railways and the Panay Railways project. Kita mo? Panay. Eh taga
saan si ano? Eh 'di Panay. Panay ang bigay natin para… [laughter
and applause]

Sabihin naman ni Senator Drilon, 'Binack-bite ka dito. Lalagyan daw

nung ano, yung island mo ng train. May tawa pa.' Binaback-bite ka
dito. Mag-sumbong man 'yan. Tingnan mo 'yan.
Different approaches are also being considered to decongest NAIA
including the possible transfer of general aviation. Ito ang...I will...
Hindi... Ang style ko kasi ganito...Hindi naman ako... I am not sticking
to formalities. Itong trans — general aviation, alam mo kung sino ang
tinatamaan niyan? Kayong mayayaman. Kayong may mga helicopter
pati eroplano, ilipat ko kayo. [applause] Alam mo yung general
aviation niyo --- mga Learjets, mga 'yung mga sa mga ano kumpanya,
ilagay ko kayo sa Batanes para wala masyadong air traffic [applause].
No, I’m offering Sangley Point. [applause] Kasi kahihiyan ko ang isang
runway. I can make a new runway there, sabi ng mga aviation experts
but tumbok niyan is the Merville Subdivision. Baka isa pa akong
runway dito sa Metro Manila. But if not them, it’s going to be Clark but
on a condition that we will have a fast train. Sabi ko kay Art, it will be
something like 30. One hour of travel, sabi ko kay Tugade, is not
acceptable. Make a rail there bago, marami nang... [inaudible] is the
bullet train. Ilagay mo yan sa Filipino na driver, sutoy talaga kayo
doon, maglampas kayo. [laughter]

The Clark Airport can be utilized to shift some operations of our

domestic and international airlines. Moreover, a one-stop shop will
be established within the civil aviation complex for the benefit of the
Overseas Filipinos. [applause] Ito mangyari na ’to: To utilize the
Clark Airport, it is necessary to establish... Yung mga, well, you
have a rail to connect. [Tapos na yan. Itaas mo na kay na i-Tagalog
ko na.]

In the area of environment, the military is directed to intensify its

support [Makinig kayo, sigig tawa diyan] its support role against
illegal logging, illegal mining,
nandyan pa naman si Gina Lopez, and other destructive practices
that aggravate the devastation of our natural resources. [applause

I have to protect the country. Many are complaining against the

appointment of Gina Lopez. But si Gina pati ako, we share the
same paradigm: The interest of the country must come first. But
hindi ko naman sinasabi, there’s a law allowing mining. Gina Lopez
and I are just telling you: Follow government standards. Do not
destroy the environment. Follow it to a tee. [applause] Wala tayong
problema. Just pay the correct taxes, follow the standards. Gina is
just doing her job. You know, she’s a really a crusader, that is how I
describe her persona: Crusader. Sabi ko tama yan. Bakit? Nandiyan
ba si Ma’am? Si Gina Lopez? Secretary Lopez, nandiyan?

[DENR Secretary Lopez stands up and waves]

Ganito yan, pumunta siya sa Davao. Gabi na mga 1 o’clock

because on the early days of my --- when I won, pero hindi pa ako
nag-oath, marami nang nagpuntahan. Felicitations, congratulations.
Eh si ma’am pumunta twice. Every time, she shows me the
degradation of [inaudible] Tapos dalawang oras naman mukhang
hindi na matapos. Sabi ko, 'Ma’am' [laughter]. Ma'am, do not be
offended ha, totoo man. Huwag ka magalit kay --- it’s the truth. So
maga-alas tres na, tapos extemporaneous siya, para ring
congressman. Sabi ko, "Ma’am, maga-alas quarto na." "Ma’am, ano
kaya kung ikaw na lang ang DENR?" [applause and laughter]

Bigla din siya nagsagot, “Totoo ka?” [laughter] "Oo." Hindi yung
"oo," [laughter]. Sabi niya,
"I will ask the --- I will consult my family and ask my..." The following
day, tawag siya kay --- my aide, kay Bong. Sabi niya, “Bong, okay
na, tinanggap na. Sabi ng pamilya ko, okay na.” Sabi ko, “Hay,
bantay kayo lahat.” [laughter] But you know, I would not be
appointing somebody who is alien to my thinking. I would take in
somebody who shares my horizons in life, especially yung
degradation ng ---

Tama yan. She is a crusader and she will continue. Dito naman
eh...The DENR is likewise directed to review all permits granted to
the mining, logging and other environmental sensitive activities to
ensure compliance with government standards and if warranted, ito
na yung pinakamaganda: amend, suspend or revoke permits. Go
ahead. [applause]

I’d like to thank God that I had this opportunity really --- I never---
wala namang ano, I never thought umabot ako dito. I’ve always...
That...Sa isip ko mahirap itong ano. Itong Laguna Lake, naubos ang
mga... Wala na ang fishermen. Iyon na lang --- the difference with
one big fish pen to the other --- iyon nalang ang sa mga tao. Makita
mo sa plane every time I go to Davao, I pass by that lake there.
Every time nakita ko, talagang wala ng ano. And the fishermen are
complaining about their loss. Talagang wala na sila kasi ang maliit
na lugar iyon lang ang kanila. So dito pinaraan ko lang in diplomatic
way that the Laguna Lake shall be transformed into a vibrant
economic zone showcasing ecotourism by addressing the negative
impact of the watershed destruction,
l and conversion and pollution. Ito ang nilagay ko. This is what I am
telling you. The poor fishermen will have priority in its entitlements.
[applause]

Order to Gina is: Ayusin mo, Ma’am. Huwag mo namang ipitin but
they have to reduce the areas of occupation. They cannot have their
cake and eat it too. Sila na yung may pera, sila na yung --- this must
stop. So kung itanong, 'Sino ang may-ari niyan?' Simple lang:
general, mga mayor, governor, baka congressman --- this is not
personal. This is something that I feel that I must do because it is
the right thing to do. [applause]

To have adequate disposal facilities for the Metro Manila Garbage,

the final closure and rehabilitation of the Carmona Sanitary Landfill
shall be pursued while the adoption of appropriate waste-to-energy
facilities will be explored. Marami yan. The technology is coming
very fast.

In the area of governance, there is a need to strengthen our efforts

along this line. [Itaas mo na. Itaas yang paragraph na yan] Ito...
Select the best answer... [Ang taas na. Huh? Mabubuang ka]

To better manage public information, a law should be passed – I’m

addressing Congress-- to create the People’s Broadcasting
Corporation, replacing PTV-4, [applause] the government-run TV
station, which now aims to replicate international government
broadcasting networks. Teams from these international news
agencies ---
I’d like to mention those interested BBC --- are set to visit the
country soon to train people from government-run channels to
observe. Ito ang gusto ko --- tutal pera naman ng tao --- to observe
editorial independence through innovative programs [applause] and
intelligent treatment and analysis of news reports, as well as
developments of national and international significance.

The government’s Bureau of Broadcast Services, better known as

the Radyo ng Bayan, shall undergo upgrading to make it financially
viable and dependable for accurate and independent, and
enlightening news and commentary. Radyo ng Bayan will be
integrated with the PBC.

As we are presently setting up a Presidential Communications

Satellite Office in Davao City, PBC will also put up broadcast hubs
in the Visayas and Mindanao. [applause] Davao City will also be the

first site of the first Muslim channel, to be called Salaam Television,

[applause] and the first Lumad channel. [applause]

The PCO shall coordinate with the Office of the Executive Secretary
and the Presidential Legal Counsel in implementing the recently
approved EO on the Freedom of Information. There is an Executive
Order, it's out. As an example on the part of the Executive Branch to
make transparency and integrity as yardsticks in government
performance, savings and expenses while engaging the public to be
vigilant in participating in government programs and projects.
The PCO, in coordination with the Office of the Executive Secretary,
is drafting the Administrative Order on the Task Force on media
killings.

This government does not condone violence and repression of

media. [applause] The bona fide media... Bona fide
media...Sometimes they pronounce it "bonafid". But whatever that
thing is, the bona fide media has always been our partner for
change. [applause] Medyo klaro yan. Anong gawin mo sa hindi
bona fide media? Iyan ang problema.

To address backlogs and low prosecutorial effectiveness and

efficiency, the investigation and case management processes shall
be streamlined including those for illegal drugs and heinous crimes.

To eradicate the prevalent cultures of fear and silence that have

hounded our justice system, I asked Congress — you — to enact
the Whistleblower Protection Law while the present Witness
Protection Program shall be strengthened. [applause] [Hirap maging
Presidente. Maski dito lang.] [laughter]

The number of lawyers and support staff in the PAO — that is the
Public Assistance Office — regional and districts shall be increased
to provide indigents with more access to counsels. [applause]

At this stage, I also have directed the DILG to undertake nationwide

information and campaign on federalism in partnerships with various
alliances and with LGU, civil society, grassroots and faith-based
organizations. [applause] Punta muna ako dito ha,
itong federalism. Ewan ko kung tama. Alam mo, itong bayan natin, if
I may just repeat. I know that you know — on 1521, Magellan
landed in Leyte. [laughter] Kumare ko man ito. [Salamat, mare ha.]
[laughter] Mindanao was already Islam by 100 years. So, ano ito,
it’s an imperialism thing. There’s a historical injustice committed
against the Moro people. We have to correct it. But it is well
possible now. Kaya kayong mga kapatid kong mga Moro, alam
naman ninyo. Ako, I’m mixed. Migrant ang tatay ko doon. So,
mixed-blood ako. Moro pati Christian. But, you know, intindihin na
lang natin ito, that we can return to you all. Iyong nakuha ng mga
Amerikano, Español, pati yung mga Pilipino, mga kapitalista, those
who exploited Mindanao with that thing sloganeering go to
Mindanao because it is a land of promise. With the vast entry of so
many people, basically coming from the Visayas, magkaroon tayo
ng… We cannot solve it the way you want it to be. We have to
understand each other then you have to live with each other, but we
will try.

Ang sinasabi kong babalik ako, dahil ako sa federalism. Both

Misuari, Sema and all, at least the politiko leaders ng Mindanao will
agree to it. We do not...Remember that ako ‘yung…

Hindi ko dinidikdik yung masyadong Abu Sayyaf because it is really

connected with the first talks between Misuari, the President,
subsequently President Marcos and now, until now, until now.

The only way they said that we can have this. Iyong BBL, ibigay na
natin, minus the things that you do not want. [applause] Iyong mga
Constitutional issues.
Tanggalin muna natin. Ibigay ko yung area. Nandiyan na yan eh. So
I ask you pass it minus the Constitutional issues that are
contentious. [applause] Ibigay na natin at when the federal system
comes, isali mo na sa package, together with Misuari. That is the
solution for Mindanao. Nothing else. Believe me. Nothing else will
do. Please sleep on it, ponder on it, because that’s the only way to
proceed.

On the clamor of our citizens for timely issuance of Philippine

passports, the government shall work towards amendment of the
1996 Passport Law to lengthen the validity of the passports from the
current 5 years to 10 years. [applause] Tutal kayo naman ang
maggagawa ng batas. You are the ones who will pass the law, even
if you make it good for 30 years, okay ako. Bahala kayo. [laughter]
Basta, stretch a little bit because five years is just really simply on a
regular basis.

Matagal pa naman itong passport. Mag-apply ako, ten days. Alam

mo, I’d like to call the attention of Secretary Yasay. If you go to
Davao, look back doon sa… Look at the back, likod ng nitong mall,
yung malaking mall doon. O sige, pangalanan na natin, SM. Doon,
yung mga tao nandiyan sa pavement natutulog.

For the many times nadaan ako na walang ulan, doon lang sila
because first come, first served. And the only outlet there --- the
outlet of your department is yung sa SM. So yung mga, maawa ako.
Dito sa side sa Cotabato, lahat ng Cotabato, doon sa Davao.
Karamihan yan, walang mga bahay. If you’re an applicant in Davao
City, fine. But you know, kung walang, mahirap kasi.
Karamihan diyan, mga Moro. Naghihiga lang diyan sa pavement.
Nasasaktan talaga ako. Masakit eh. Buong gabi mo hintayin
hanggang mag-bukas yang SM kasi first come, first served.

Kaya sabi ko… But that is...I am addressing to all of the Cabinet
members: Make use of the computer. I do not want to see people
lining up under the heat of the sun. I do not want people lining up
under the rain. [applause] And I want itong labor... Wala na ito sa
script. [Iyong prompter natutulog na siguro ‘to, papindot-pindot
diyan.] [laughter]

Alam mo, nandiyan naman yan. Sabi ko what I want is a journal.

When the applicant presents the documents, give them a shopping
list. Do not add or get anything away from it. Iyon lang yon, final.
And when he complies with that, that is good. Huwag mo na siyang
pabalikin. [applause] Kasi kung mag-tawag yan ng 8888, my God,
puntahan ko talaga kayo. Iyan ang bisyo ko noong mayor ako. It will
not make a difference mayor o presidente. Puntahan talaga kita,
hiyain kita sa maraming tao. And I would publicly ask you: “What the
hell happened to the procedure?” Pupuntahan ko talaga kayo.
Local, barangay, pulis, military, lahat. Bigyan mo ng shopping list,
huwag mo ng pabalikin. Because pag mag-tawag ng 8888 yan,
tapos makita ko na the grievance is valid, bahala ka. Anong walang
panahon?

Pupuntahan kita sa opisina mo. [inaudible] Bakit? Bigyan mo ng

stub. You have to employ actuarial ability, that’s easy. Para pag-
tanggap ng tao — I’m addressing myself, under me — journal.
Papirmahin mo siya. Lagyan mo doon, tingnan mo sa computer.
Mag-connect ka doon sa actuarial. Hindi mo kailangan ng bobo
diyan e. Matatapos siguro yan mga next month tapusin ko.
Projections lang naman. 'O, balik ka dito August 15, 3 o’clock.'
Pagdating, ibigyan yan.

Now, if he goes to Malacañang, I’ll open it up. For those who have
valid reasons to complain about graft and corruption, the gates of
Malacañang will be open. Doon ka. [applause] Mag-sumbong ka. At
I will be briefed by my military or aide or yung si ano, itong nagbigay
ng tubig. 'Sir, dito marami ka.'

I have the reason why I do not go out. I do not accept invitations.

Hindi ako tumatanggap because every time I travelled around
Manila, it causes a huge congestion. Kasi pag itong pag-uwi ko,
[inaudible] by projection. Paglabas ni presidente, ano yan, picture
taking ganon. And they start to block the--- yung roads access to
the...Ganon iyan. Everytime a president come out, ganon iyan. So,
paparahin nila iyan, sasabihin nila, dadaan iyan by this time. And in
the meantime, sarado yan. Paglabas ko, akala mo Biyernes Santo.
Walang sasakyan diyan.

Ikaw pala exponentially --- ang traffic, the tail end of the traffic is
somewhere [inaudible] And it would take about two to three hours to
normalize. Kaya hindi ako tumatanggap ng... And I hate to travel.
Kasi talagang lilinisin eh. Ito namang… Kasi ang taas kasi ng
entourage ng Presidente. Dulo sa dulo may ambulansya. Hindi lang
entourage, parang [inaudible]
Sabi ko: Dalawa, tatlo, tama na, sa gitna lang ako. Pero ang totoo,
mag-taxi lang ako dito sa likod. Sunod lang ako. [laughter and
applause] Eh takot man sila na… Ano naman ang makuha ko kung
patayin mo ako? What for... May ambulansya doon. Dagdagan mo
na ng punerarya. [laughter]

I have also ordered the DFA to streamline documentary

requirements and passport applications and open additional
Consular Offices in strategic places to decongest Metro Manila sites
[applause] and avoid queues that have caused hardships and
suffering to passport applicants.

I have also directed the newly-created DICT, Information and

Communication Technology, to develop a National Broadband Plan
to accelerate the deployment of fiber optics cables and wireless
technologies to improve internet speed. [applause]

Ito para ito sa… Alam ko, mahal kong mga kababayan,
maligayahan kayo nito. Ipag-paano mo lang yung Tagalog ko
kasi...Eh kayo hindi kayo marunong mag-Bisaya eh 'di...[laughter]

Wi-Fi access shall be provided at no charge in selected public

places [applause] including parks, plazas, public libraries, schools,
government hospitals, train stations, airports and seaports. O ‘di
ba? [applause] Happy lahat.

All government agencies are instructed to enable their clients to

submit applications for coordination to other agencies combined.
[Itaas mo, wala na yan. Ayaw ko nang mag-salita.]
The national portal, yes, because it’s our parang website. Ito: We
shall intensify — mainit talaga ako dito – I place it in parity with
drugs. We shall intensify our war against human traffickers and
illegal recruiters that prey on our migrants. [applause]

To help ensure that the hard-earned money of the Filipinos

overseas are put into productive use, a mandatory financial
education for all migrants and their communities will be pursued
with incentives to encourage entrepreneurship among them.

I may now also ask on Congress to consider drawing up bills

consolidating and merging agencies and offices having to do the
Overseas Filipino to have a department that shall focus on and
quickly respond to their problems and concerns. Kailangan ko ng
isa. [applause] And I have asked… I don’t know if Secretary Bello is
here, Bebot. Wala? Absinero talaga yan. [laughter] Maski sa
Cabinet absinero yan. Gusto ko, he will rent or we’ll lease some
buildings here for overseas only. At lagyan ko ng – and they will
direct all BIR, lahat na. BIR, lahat ng something to do with the
clearances of the police, in one building, may booth lang. I said: My
God! Make use of the computer.

So doon lang siya mag-ikot sa isang building. Ang Pilipino, hindi na

siya mag-punta doon sa Statistics. Hindi na siya punta doon sa ano,
diyan, diyan sa opisina. Gamitin ninyo ang computer and you can
get the results right after. Why do we have... Has to travel to Malate,
then he will just stuck in the traffic. He can only accomplish one
document at one time.
NBI clearance is doon na ninyo ibigay. Lahat na doon na. At kung
dapat, may-awa si Bello, pakainin niyo yung mga tao doon. Lalo na
sa probinsya. Pagtingin ninyo taga-probinsya, finish it right away.
Make use of the computer. O kapag hindi niyo ginamit yan, tapon
na lang ninyo. Throw away your computers and I will understand
that. It would take you years to do it. Do the computer. [Taas mo na
yan. Wala na yan.] [laughter]

Ito: To help avoid squatter-like conditions in relocation sites, we

urge utilities like Meralco and electric cooperatives to exercise their
social corporate responsibility by making direct connections to
relocation sites and depressed areas.

Alam mo kung bakit? Kaya nga nilagyan nila diyan e. That’s why I
had to talk to you ganito. 'Bakit?' It’s because walang kuryente
pagka mahirap ka. You do not own the land. That is my experience
23 years as mayor. Hindi magbigay ng direct connection. Kasi hindi
ikaw ang may-ari ng lupa but that squatter, they have been there for
20 years.

So mag-connect-connect sila. Pag ka-connect-connect nila, ang

gamitin nila yung wire na, yung pinaka-mura. So it overheats
because connect-connect na lang sila kung sino yung minsan
magnakaw. You know, we will have to make the adjustments. It is
not for these people to make the corrections because they are not in
a position to do it.

We have to adjust to the needs of our people. Total diyan naman

yang sa squatter na yan, as long as I sit here as President, there
will be there no demolitions without relocations.
Hindi talaga ako papayag. [applause] Hindi naman aso yan na ---
just like in Davao. I’d like to make a dialogue with the businessmen.
“Sir, how much are you investing in this land you have bought with
the squatter?” "So, I bought it at about 60 million." Dagdagan mo ng
20 million. Ako na ang bahala. Sabihin ko doon sa mga tao, "Bili
tayo ng relocation site or I will provide." Government will
expropriate. I will make use of the expropriation powers. Ako ganon
sa Davao eh. I have 20 hectares there. I will expropriate some land
there. Iyong malapit lang. Then sabihin ko: "This 20 million will help
your journey to a new land." And I will urge everybody na yung mga
bagong mga factories, doon sila mag-tayo.

Magtiis-tiis lang muna kayo. In the meantime, you have to mitigate

the hardships of these people. That’s the only way to do it. Sa
demolition, walang matirahan ang tao. Tutal you sat on your rights
for many years eh bakit mo ngayon, pipilitin mo ako magka-
problema ng ganon? Eh may iba kasi, hinahayaan nila. Ten, 20
years, they do nothing. And when the time, comes, na pagbili lang
nila, tayo na disturbuhin. O ‘di gumastos ka para mas madali. Just
add a little bit more and there will be at least peace. Pag hindi, wala
yan. Fight na naman ‘yan, between government and the tawag nila,
"squatters". Squatters naman talaga yan. Masasaktan lang
mamatay for no reason at all. Eh kung mayaman ka, bigyan mo ng
konting ano, provide a relocation. And I’ll be glad to talk to the
people and say: “Go. It is not yours.”

I have directed the concerned regulatory agencies to prioritize the

issuance of required permits for power development. Okay ‘yan sa
akin. Ang problema sandali ito. [Para ka diyan.]
Iyong mga environmentalist, meron tayong, meron tayong, ano kasi
– marami ang coal.

Pati yang... Ito nga, itong energy emissions, wala man akong
problema diyan. But do not tell me na, if you... Ambassador ka
tapos sabihin mo sa akin na, 'medyo hanggang diyan lang kayo,
kasi kami hangang dito lang kami. ' Sabi ko, 'Ano? Kayo umabot
diyan. You are now in the apex of your industrial might. But along
the way, you were the first – America, China, Europe.' Kayong
bomba-bomba, until now we contribute only something point zero.
So, if you put so much restrictions doon sa treaty na yan, the treaty
which we are trying to – it's still here in the Senate. Let us be very
clear on this: We need to industrialize. We need the power and,
therefore, the emissions would also be considered. You just can't
say it: 'I established five economic zones here'. And you start to say
that, 'you are spewing so much carbon footprints'. Mahirap yan. I
mean, it's hard. I cannot just agree on anything that will delay. I’m
only good for six years.

And I intend to do something during my term. Now, I’m sure that the
heavy machineries would come in and even the power, cheapest is
coal. So ito naman locally, you get in trouble with Gina. So, we'll just
talk sa Cabinet na lang. Si Gina naman is a very fine lady. Huwag
ka lang magsimangot sa harapan niya. Bigyan ka niya permit maski
lima. Magsimangot ka, zero. [laughter]

Oo, just be gracious to her, that's all. It's a matter of talking and
explaining to them. But if it is... You're using the state of the art
technology and I’ve seen it several times in the other power plants
in this country. If it is really a good one, then we will consider, I said,
because we need the energy to power our
industrialization.[applause]

To strengthen the delivery of social services, the government will

intensify its protection programs, so it can use its resources,
expertise to make a dent in the country’s poverty levels.

What we want is genuinely to reduce the vulnerabilities of our

people, build resiliency and empower individuals, and families and
communities.

The beneficiaries of 4Ps shall be made to become independent and

self-reliant after they have graduated from the program [applause].
But the aim is to present it with other forms of assistance, so that
they can stand on their own two feet.

But now, I have decided to direct the DSWD to provide the rice
subsidies to the poorest of the families, at least, para makakain lang
every month. [applause]

Iyong sako na ano...

We are planning to increase spending on basic education and

incorporate mandatory education about the evils of drugs.

We will also intensify and expand Alternative Learning System

programs. The government will also provide universal health
insurance for all Filipinos [applause]. Benefits –
Sali na lang natin sa PhilHealth.

The professional competence and operational capabilities of

government hospitals and health facilities will be strengthened.

Consistent with our international obligations, in keeping with

national mandates, this administration vows to protect women’s
rights and human rights abuses [applause] against our women,
because this unacceptable to... Kung mag-bugbog ka ng babae.

Thus, I order all agencies and oversight bodies and local

government units down to the barangay level to fully implement the
Magna Carta for Women. [applause] By doing so, we'll ensure that
man and woman will be partners in the pursuit of country’s
economic, social, and cultural and political developments.

To our Lumad brothers, and they are here outside. Outside? They
are here outside I’m sure . I told the... Just to let them come if they
want. Kanila man ito.

To our brothers, I have this to say: The government has issued you
the Ancestral Certificates Domain Title covering vast tracts of land
especially in the Island of Mindanao. You have the Indigenous
Peoples’ Rights Act, and the National Commission on Indigenous
Peoples to protect you and to assist you.

Government has given you the tool, the legal tool to improve
yourself financially, economically and socially. Make use of your
ancestral domain. Do not let it remain idle.
While the government is always ready to help you, you must first
help yourself. We cannot legislate financial and economic progress
for you. It is you and you alone who can do that. You can chart your
fate, but do it within constitutional and legal means.

After being devastated by natural and man-made calamities these

past few years, we are still to recover emotionally from the loss of
our loved ones, and materially from the loss of our homes and our
income sources.

There are many among us whose emotional wounds are still fresh
and painful to the touch. We cannot erase the images of death and
destruction from our minds. We cannot wash away the stench of
rotting flesh from our noses. And there are many of us who are still
waiting for the help that was promised. The enormity of the problem
of drug addiction has been made manifest by the number of
surrenderees which grows by the hundred each day that passes.
Since July 1, we have already made 3,600 related drug arrests.
120,[000] drug dependents have already surrendered and 70,000 of
them are pushers. You think this is just a... [applause] It could take
the entire resources of this government to fight this war.

I have nothing but the interest of my country. But let’s wait because
the PDEA says that – it's about the past statement made by the
Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

Two years ago, PDEA came out with a statement that there are 3
million drug addicts in this country. That was two or three years ago.
How do you think – would the number incrementally if we count
now?
Give it a liberal addition. Maybe, gawin mo na [700,000]. So three
million seven hundred thousand [3.7 million]. The number is quite
staggering and scary.

The drug lords that you desperately want to strangle are not here.
Wala mga bilyonaryo dito. The ones that you catched, running after,

are just the lieutenants. They do it with technology. They’re cooking

it in the international waters.

Itinatapon nila 'yan bulto, by the drums. Dikitan nila ng GPS. So

makikita agad. We are hard put sa intelligence because they have
invented this direct satellite.

Hindi na magdadaan yan ng...All they have to do is to triangulate

where the – pag-ikot niya. And there's so many – and they are in
codes. If we do not help from our friends here in Asia and America,
and Europe – this year number and problem, believe me, will drown
us as a Republic.

Kayo tingnan ninyo ito. How can I solve the problem now by
arresting? Hinahanap... Kung matagal na akong Presidente, gusto
kong patayin. Ang problema pupunta pa ako doon and I'll ask the
permission from this country that I will go because I have to
slaughter these idiots who are destroying my country.

Ganoon yun eh. [inaudible] Presidente, ayaw ko naman bitawan,

kasi ayaw naman kasi ng military, pati pulis. But you know, I said,
"I’ll be talking in front of the Republic to its representatives, for the
people".
So I have to tell you: "How do we solve this problem?" Can we? Ako
naman okay lang eh. Make it public, fine. Make it confidential, if you
go to me or go to you, to your house, okay. But that is really the
enormity of the problem. It's so enormous that you are intimidated
even just to make a move. Because you cannot stop it anyway.

Mabunggo mo isa dito hinulog sa dagat, eh marami naman

nagluluto doon.

It’s a free for all enterprise for the criminals at this time. Kung ako, if
I had just the plan...Sabi ko, sabi ko sa military kapag nakita ninyo,
pasabugin mo na. Maski nag-surrender yan, may white, white flag.
Pang-giyera lang yan, hindi yan pang-kriminal, pasabugin mo. Show
no mercy to them because they're not doing any mercy to us
anyway. Bakit ako...Iyan ang problema.

But we should not despair. Like someone wrote: It is when the night
is darkest, that dawn breaks.

We are imbued with resiliency that has been tested and proven.
More difficult times As in the past. We have a bond to act together.
We have to help each other. For then and only then can we truly
prevail.

And the Filipino, disciplined, informed, involved, shall rise from the
rubbles of sorrow and pain. So that all the mirrors in the world will
reflect the face of a passion that has changed this land.

Daghang Salamat. [applause]